Second Group Of GSF Volunteers Departs For Italy, Tunisia

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 30 (Bernama) -- The second group of Sumud Nusantara volunteers taking part in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) Humanitarian Mission has departed for Italy and Tunisia in a bold effort to break the Israeli blockade that has pushed the entire Palestinian population in Gaza to the brink of starvation.

Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organisation (MAPIM) chief executive officer Datuk Dr Ahmad Sani Araby Al-Kahery said that 15 volunteers would head to Catania, Italy, while another 15 would make their way to Tunisia to take part in the GSF mission.

The Malaysia’s Chef de Mission for GSF said that all the volunteers would undergo training in the countries before participating in the global humanitarian mission.

“This special humanitarian mission is joined by a Malaysian delegation, representing various non-governmental organisations (NGOs), to carry out what can be described as a historic act (effort).

“It involves 50 countries and it is a collective movement urging the world to put an end to the ongoing war... Let’s unite and stop the war in Gaza and Palestine,” he said in a press conference today.

Ahmad Sani said that the GSF was an important and safe mission, joined by doctors, humanitarian activists, actors, and other volunteers.

“(They) united to move the boats, prepared in Spain, Italy, and Tunisia, towards the Gaza sea, filled with great hope.

“There are two main objectives, namely to stop the war immediately, unconditionally, and to open the Rafah humanitarian corridor,” he said, adding that the situation in Gaza was becoming increasingly intense.

Meanwhile, he said the first group of GSF volunteers, led by Cinta Gaza Malaysia chief executive officer Muhammad Nadir Al-Nuri Kamaruzaman, was expected to set sail tomorrow.

“Alhamdulillah, the first group is doing well so far, and we are constantly monitoring them for any possible sabotage.

“With the experience gained through the GSF's participation in the Freedom Flotilla, we know how to tackle potential issues. We pray that on Aug 31, the Flotilla, a group of vessels from Spain, will embark on its journey to Gaza," he said.

Meanwhile, activist and social media personality Farah Lee, whose real name is Nurfarahin Romli, expressed her gratitude for being chosen to join the remarkable mission and shared that she was deeply touched by her family’s unwavering support.

“I have mixed feelings because I have to leave my family, but at the same time, I carry the spirit of being with my family in Palestine.

“With the blessing of my husband, mother, and children, I will go and carry Malaysia’s name. Insya-Allah, I will contribute and bring the voice of women to this humanitarian mission,” she said.

The first group of Sumud Nusantara volunteers taking part in the GSF Humanitarian Mission left for Barcelona last Wednesday, marking the start of the mission to break the Israeli blockade.

Recently, international media reported that a large-scale civilian flotilla is expected to sail to the Gaza Strip, with the first group scheduled to depart from a port in Spain on Aug 31, followed by the second group from a Tunisian port on Sept 4.

--BERNAMA